Have you ever received an intravenous fluid? If yes, you are not alone. According to the National Library of Medicine, over 200 million liters of saline solution are administrated to inpatients in the United States alone. Saline, as well as other IV fluids, come in an IV bag which is often made up of flexible plastic. These IV bags store the fluid and deliver it when the need be.
An IV bag is being used in a healthcare facility
In this article, let us go through what an IV bag is and why is it beneficial in medical treatment.
What is an IV Bag?
An IV bag, also known as an intravenous bag, is a flexible container that carries IV fluids. It often contains liquids that are infused with either medication or nutritional substances. In addition, an IV bag can simply contain water for injection loaded with necessary electrolytes including sodium, potassium, as well as chlorine.
In addition, an IV bag can also carry minerals, vitamins, and amino acids for patients who cannot take food via oral route. The IV solutions contained in IV bags are also employed for patients who need glucose (dextrose) to balance their blood glucose level (BGL).
The IV bag is an essential part of the IV drip set
Composition of an IV Bag
As an IV bag is employed for carrying and storing intravenous fluids, its composition must be compatible with the guidelines set for medical products. Medical grade IV bags are manufactured using polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is a soft and flexible material that is clear and thus allows the visual inspection of its contents.
In addition, PVC-based IV bags are also strong and do not burst easily. As PVC can withstand several temperature values, these IV bags can be warmed in a fluid warmer before administration.
In some cases, an IV bag can have di (2-ethyl-hexyl) phthalate or DEHP in it. This is a chemical that can leach from the container into the IV fluid and has been known to cause cancer as well as birth defects in infants. In addition, the risk of reproductive harm is also present. DEHP can also interact with certain drugs present in the IV fluid and reduce their efficacy.
Apart from PVC, the following materials can be employed for manufacturing an IV bag:
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polyolefin blend (PP+PE)
- Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVAM)
IV bags help deliver medications at a slower as well as faster rate
How to Use an IV Bag?
During its usage, an IV bag needs to be connected to a long and flexible tubing. One end of this tube is attached to the IV bag while the other one is connected with a cannula and a needle. The cannula is inserted into the veins with the help of the needle which is then retracted. When the administration is started, the fluid inside the IV bag flows from the tubing into the patient’s veins.
Applications of an IV Bag
An IV bag is one of the most widely employed medical products in healthcare as a large number of hospitalized patients are unable to take food orally. These IV bags carry and supply the necessary substances to such people and help them survive during their treatment period. Some of the applications of an IV bag include the following:
1. Storage and Delivery of Liquid Medications and IV Fluids
An IV bag is employed when there is a need to deliver medications directly into the veins. These are particularly helpful when multiple injections are to be given to a patient. The doctors then start an IV fluid and add different medications into it from where these are supplied to the patient’s body.
Commonly used IV solutions include normal saline (NS), lactated Ringer’s solution, dextrose in water (D5W), etc. All of these can be administered either on their own or can be used as solvents for other medications.
2. Assistance in Chemotherapy
The storage and administration of chemotherapeutic agents is done by IV bags. These are the drugs which are given to the patients suffering from cancer.
3. Alternative of Oral Route
For people who cannot have food orally due to surgery, physical trauma, or a state of coma, the administration of essential nutrients via the IV route is necessary. This way, the body gets supplied with necessary nutrients which in turn give energy to the patient. As a result, the patient’s immunity also gets boosted and they can recover quickly.
4. Usefulness in Pediatrics
In the case of pediatric patients, premature babies are often kept in incubators until they can survive the outside environment. During this period, they are not fed with milk rather IV bags are attached which carry necessary nutrients. These types of intravenous solutions are called TPN or total parenteral nutrition.
5. Blood Infusion
An IV bag also carries blood as a whole or its components i.e. red blood cells, etc. These are necessary for patients who are undergoing surgery or simply need blood infusion after blood loss due to trauma.
6. Management of Dehydration
An IV bag also serves as the first medical product which is required for the treatment of severe dehydration. As people often faint when they are extremely dehydrated, the only route suitable for the administration of water and necessary electrolytes is the intravenous route.
For this purpose, an IV line is attached directly to their blood vessels which delivers a suitable IV solution containing necessary electrolytes.
An IV bag containing normal saline (NS) often used to treat dehydration
IV Bags at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
IV fluids are needed for almost every patient who is admitted to a hospital. These contain necessary medications packed in an IV bag for storage and administration. In most cases, these IV solutions become life-saving. Many companies manufacture IV fluids some of which are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
ICU Medical Hospira Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection IV Solution 250 mL 24/Cs
ICU Medical Hospira Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection IV Solution 250 mL 24/Cs
US$329.88
Product Details
ICU Medical Hospira sodium chloride 0.9% injectable IV solution is a product employed for parenteral use. It is formulated by dissolving table salt i.e. sodium chloride (NaCl) in sterile water for injection as per the method proposed by the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). The volume of solution in each IV bag is 250 ml.
The solution has an osmolarity of 0.308 mOsm/ml and has a pH between 4.5 to 7.0. The value can also be adjusted by adding hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sodium chloride (NaCl).
These ICU Medical Hospira sodium chloride 0.9% injection IV solutions can be administered as such for the treatment of dehydration and electrolyte deficiency. However, normal saline can also serve as a carrier for other medications. The product is also non-pyrogenic which means it is from pyrogens, the fever-causing agents.
Baxter 2B8013 Medication Delivery Bag Intravia 500 mL CS/48
Baxter 2B8013 Medication Delivery Bag Intravia 500 mL CS/48
US$545.88
Product Details
Baxter 2B8013 medication delivery bag Intravia is a polymer-based plastic container that has a fluid capacity of up to 500 ml. These bags are sterilized before packaging therefore they do not interact with the medications added to them and increase the risk of infections. The gamma radiations are employed for their sterilization.
The composition of these Baxter 2B8013 Intravia containers is based on polyvinyl chloride or PVC which is employed to make its ports and they do not contain cancer-causing agents like DEHP. In addition, the body of the bag is prepared using polyolefin which is a blend of two polymers i.e. polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE).
These Baxter 2B8013 medication delivery bags by Intravia are also free from natural rubber latex. This is especially beneficial when the bags are to be used to carry fluids for patients who are sensitive to latex and get rashes with its contact.
The length of each Baxter 2B8013 medication delivery bag by Intravia is 11.7 inches while the width is around 8.6 inches. In addition, each bag has a height of about 6.1 inches along with a weight of 2.35 lbs (pounds). One pack of Baxter 2B8013 medication delivery bags by Intravia contains 48 pieces at the above-mentioned price.
Baxter 2B8011 Medication Delivery Bag Intravia 150 mL CS/48
Baxter 2B8011 Medication Delivery Bag Intravia 150 mL CS/48
US$664.88
Product Details
Baxter 2B8011 medication delivery IV bag Intravia 150 mL CS/48 is constructed using polyolefin as well as polyvinyl chloride. The product does not contain DEHP which renders it suitable for carrying almost all kinds of drugs except some of the anticancer agents which might interact with the two PVC ports.
These Baxter 2B8011 medication delivery IV bags are sterilized by exposing them to gamma radiation. This non-pyrogenic feature allows the components added to them to remain free from any type of microbial agents that might get delivered to the patient’s blood during IV delivery and thus cause infections.
Moreover, the products are flexible and strong enough to withstand minor abrasions while storage or handling. These Baxter 2B8011 medication delivery IV bags are manufactured in the US and each pack contains 48 pieces at the given price.
B Braun 2112350 CP3000 Pinnacle 3000ML EVA Mixing Contmadi 40/CA
B Braun 2112350 CP3000 Pinnacle 3000ML EVA Mixing Contmadi 40/CA
US$980.88
Product Details
B Braun 2112350 CP3000 Pinnacle 3000 ml EVA mixing container 40/CA are plastic containers that have a capacity of up to 3000 ml. The product comes in sterile form and is free from pyrogens. These plastic bags are used as mixing containers in which different electrolytes, minerals, nutrients, or medications can be dissolved in water for injection.
These plastic containers are single chamber bags that have a 3-in-1 function. The purpose of using B Braun 2112350 CP3000 Pinnacle 3000 ml EVA mixing containers is to carry and deliver the total parenteral nutrition or TPN to patients who need nutritional supplementation via the IV route.
Another feature of these IV bags is that they are free from natural rubber latex which is an irritant material and can cause a reaction in patients after leaching into the IV fluid contained in it. Being a product of B. Braun, the quality of these Pinnacle EVA IV bags is unmatched. Each bag of B Braun 2112350 CP3000 Pinnacle 3000 ml EVA mixing containers has 40 pieces.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
An IV bag attached to a flexible tubing
The IV bag-based intravenous fluids mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of intravenous products.
Conclusion
IV route of delivery is the most widely used way of administering necessary medications and nutritional components. This bypasses the digestive system and thus delivers more fluid to the body at a quicker rate.
An IV bag is a container which contains that carries the IV fluids. These must be free from toxic chemicals such as DEHP. The terms IV fluid and IV bag are used synonymously in healthcare.
Owing to their necessity, it is good to buy IV bags in bulk and store them in healthcare facilities to deal with the influx of inpatients. For purchasing IV bags from different brands, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9195194/
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
